National Weather Service

Heavy rain and thunderstorms swept through Kansas City on Thursday, forcing the Fan Festival to close early. But the World Cup match kicked off as scheduled, with the Dutch national team beating Tunisia 3-1.

If they heed the warnings, people in Kansas City have taken shelter more than usual this season — the 1,438 severe weather warnings issued so far is the most on record. But staffing cuts to the National Weather Service have resulted in less warning time for some storm systems.

The National Weather Service has lost hundreds of employees since President Donald Trump took office, and its severe storm forecasts may be suffering. Two tornado outbreaks this year, one in Kansas, took forecasters by surprise. Some meteorologists warn that further cuts will create a new cluster of blind spots.

Storms already delayed the opening of Kansas City's FIFA Fan Festival. With more thunderstorms and tornadoes possible this weekend, organizers say they have an evacuation plan and shelters, but those details have not been made widely available.

Kansas City comenzó la semana con temperaturas de hasta 90 grados y humedad excesiva. Casi todos los partidos en Arrowhead Stadium podrían disputarse bajo condiciones peligrosas. Con el torneo y el Fan Festival arrancando el jueves, ¿qué se está haciendo para proteger a atletas y aficionados?

Kansas City started the week with temperatures up to 90 degrees and excessive humidity. Almost all of the matches at Arrowhead Stadium are at risk of dangerous conditions. With the tournament and Fan Festival starting Thursday, what is being done to keep athletes and fans safe?

Missouri reports about 40 tornadoes in a typical season — but it's surpassed that number all of the last three years. Unusually high temperatures in March and April brought more frequent storms.

Tornado warning sirens have been a frequent sound in the Kansas City area so far this year. This month is likely to be much of the same, according to Zachary Leasor, a state climatologist with the University of Missouri.

Much of the Kansas City area is under hazardous weather warnings, including a tornado watch for a handful of counties surrounding the metro. Damaging winds and rain are likely, causing flooding and power outages. Residents are urged to stay alert and informed throughout the night.

The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Clay and Jackson counties around 9 p.m.

A tornado hit Cass County on Friday night, causing significant damages to homes and other buildings in the early evening. The Friday storms capped off a week of extreme weather, bringing colder temperatures for the weekend and drier conditions next week.

The National Weather Service has put south-central Jackson County under tornado warning and confirms a tornado is on the ground after being spotted over Raymore.